Cleveland, Ohio – May 23, 2008 Rarely has an emcee name been so appropriate as the one adopted by Alexander “Pryslezz†Pain. Given his iconic moniker by a friend for his break dancing skills, the young ingénue of Ohio origin is one of the most engaging personalities to grace the mic in recent years.
The grit and grime of the Youngstown city streets, that are so prevalent with violence, has left its mark on the multi-faceted artist, which is evident in his music. Full of clever wordplay, Pryslezz is known for his ability to dispense an endless chain of syllables so relentlessly you can almost hear drum machines gasping for air as they struggle to keep the pace. A seasoned vet, Pryslezz has opened for numerous artists that include Lil Jon, as well as performed alongside Wu Tang Clan, Common, Slum Village, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Nas on the Rock the Bells Tour. He showcased his talent recently on the promotional HBCU College Tour and opened at the House Of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio with Dwele, Jason Derulo and others.
His debut album, A Search 4 Peace- A Testimony (2003) created a tremendous underground buzz and garnered him a throng of loyal followers, while the disc was voted one of the best albums to come out of Cincinnati that same year. Now, older and more seasoned, Pryslezz is set to release the ground breaking Death of a Man, Rebirth of a King, which is representative of his growth and maturity. Not your run of the mill rap artist, the first single, “More Than A Love Song†features R&B crooner Dwele on a smooth-flowing cut with radiant harmonies and vocal inflections that suggest a gorgeous picture of a true love story through new eyes and frames of thought. On the standout track, “Way Back†featuring velvety-voiced Raheem Devaughn, the MC flawlessly marries Hip-Hop and R&B in a way that is both entertaining and refreshing.
“Pryslezz is such a unique artist, full of different styles and such a pleasure to work with.†Dwele
“Pryslezz is new world order hip hop…it’s a Poetic picture painting flow.” Raheem Devaughn
The debut single “More Than A Love Song†continues to chart on the Billboard Hip Hop/ R&B Single Sales peaking at #2 while additionally impacting Urban Mainstream Radio with 30 added stations (listening audience of over 1 million) receiving over 300 spins/week and finished in the top 5 most added in it’s first week, holding its own alongside Lil’ Wayne, Sean Kingston, Ludacris and Estelle. Markets that continue to champion the record include WGCI (Chicago), WENZ (Cleveland), WKKV (Milwaukee), WDKX (Rochester), WJUC (Toledo), WCKX (Columbus), WIZL (Cincinnati), KNDA (Corpus Christi), WJMI (Jackson), WEMX (Baton Rouge), KOPW (Omaha), WJZD (Biloxi), KVSP (Oklahoma City), KJMM (Tulsa), XM Satellite Radio and more. The music video for “More Than A Love Song†with Dwele has been put into rotation on VH-1 Soul, VH-1.com, BET.com, Yahoo! Launch and Music Choice as well as officially accepted to MTV Jams.
“Youngstown rapper Pryslezz cracked Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Top 10 to close out 2007. “More Than a Love Song,” featuring Detroit singer Dwele, peaked at No. 2 last month.†Cleveland Scene Newspaper
“More Than A Love Song†is an incredible record. Compared to the current crop of so-called rappers & MCs, Pryslezz’s vocals are unmatched.†Jay Alexander Program Director, WBTF Radio
Additional guest on album include Jason Derulo, N.O,X., URG, Soler Mesh and Purple Popcorn, as well as production from Blackout Movement (Mims, Ja Rule, Jim Jones, UGK), amongst others. Citing an array of lyrical guru’s such as his brother URG, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, OutKast, Eminem, Nas, Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes, Pryslezz respects individuality and inspiring messages behind the music.
“One of the best Hip-Hop albums to come out of Cincinnati in recent memory comes in the form of the debut from MC/producer Pryslezz Pain. The MC intelligently tackles tough issues like the perils of drug abuse with the depth of a poetic journalist. He doesn’t just mesh words that sound good together, but often actually tells fully realized stories with a syntax beyond most new MCs. Pryslezz takes floetic cues from Common, Mos Def and Nas and swirls them together for an irresistibly accomplished approach.†Cincinnati City Beat Newspaper
“Smooth soulful hip-hop. A new taste for the taste buds. Enjoy.†CD Baby
Inspired by an amalgam of sources such as religion, family, life-altering events, everyday living, successes, struggles and nature, Pryslezz knows that it is the recognition of emotions and then the their release that make his music edgy, unique and staying consistently outside the box. “I call the concept of putting yourself in a variety of different boxes ‘the captives freedom‘. I like to attempt to give something to everyone without stepping outside of my own personal virtues and values. The music isn’t as strong if you can’t stand behind it.â€
At 24 years old, Pryslezz with his vast experiences and spiritual view of life, create the persona of a soul wise beyond its years. One can book a studio session with a Grammy Winning producer, hire a top stylist or pay a ghostwriter to write hit-making lyrics, but possessing raw, un-cut talent, that’s Pryslezz.
“The whole production of the album is warm. It’s big, it’s orchestrated, it’s dark as well as the bricks of an air castle. It’s always good, it’s always deep, it’s always plush. It’s mainly melancholy. With our conclusion being that everything on here is excellent.†Urban Smarts
VH-1 Soul – “More then a Love Song†f/ Dwele
www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?artist=1901712&vid=227465
MTV Overdrive – “More then a Love Song†f/ Dwele
www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1163522&vid=227465
City Beat Newspaper (Cincinnati)
http://citybeat.com/2003-03-19/musicspillit.shtml
http://citybeat.com/2003-12-31/music.shtml
