Straight outta the Dirty South.

15 MP3 Songs
HIP HOP/RAP: Rap, HIP HOP/RAP: Southern Style



Details:
Many independent record labels are just beginning to adjust to the music industry and get a feel of how major record labels work. However, Official 1 Records is doing it all. From rhymes to beats and videos to DVD's, "their doin' it and their doin' it well."

In 1999, one of Little Rock's local artists Official 1 Records was founded. Founder and CEO, Dameon "D1" Thompson collaborated with his brother Maury "Ball" Jones. The two released their first album entitled "Dameon1 & Mr. Jones". Like any other independent artist first album release, it had its ups and downs. By taking criticism well and combining it with their knowledge, the following year, OFFICIAL released their second album "OFFICIAL 2000". Selling a combined 10,000 CD's in AR, TX, and TN, OFFICIAL moved further and never looked back OFFICIAL moved further and never looked back.

With a mind for the business, Dameon1 moved to California in 2001 to pursue music opportunities on the west coast, training in a Hollywood studio under Kevin Coleman, founder/drummer of Smashmouth. Ball Jones, while still in Little Rock continued working, as he featured on albums from the hottest groups in Arkansas. After a year of schooling, Dameon1 returned to Little Rock and re-opened his studio. While working on a new album, the duo produced and collaborated with other local lyricists, Ice Smiles (Major League) and Roccafelon. The four combined their knowledge of the game and released a smashing album, "Welcome to Little Rock". The album was released in the spring of 2003. With the hit single, "KRUSH", this album got them performances with everyone from Tyrese to Trick Daddy. Krush had fraternities and sororities steppin', and gangstas grooving. "Welcome to Little Rock", sold at #1 for 12 weeks (#2 50 cent, #3 Lil Flip), in every music store within the city. In the fall of 2003, Ball Jones released his solo album, plainly entitled, "I'm is Ball Jones". With the fame rising, OFFICIAL released a DVD for "Krush", as well as, remixed it for Little Rock's own Jermaine "Bad Intentions" Taylor (mid-weight boxer), entitled "JT KRUSH". This remix not only got OFFICIAL front row seats, they also performed the song on HBO's Boxing Live, as J.T. entered the ring. The song continues to get radio play at LR's 103 The Buzz, preceding JT's bouts.

Along with OFFICIAL, O1R has it's own production company, "Tha' SupaFrenz", which includes D1, Ricky D, RoB, Shorty P, and Low-4. This hot group of producers has 14 tracks on HBO's "Bangin in Little Rock Pt.2", which will be airing in August 04'. With the first Bangin in LR being the most highly viewed HBO documentary in history, Official 1 Records took the initiative to comprised a compilation album, "BANGIN II BALLIN", which features the hottest artists in Arkansas.

OFFICIAL has yet to be signed by a major record label, but if and when they do, they'll be ready.