R.I.P. Jewell

Jewell Caples, formerly known as The First Lady of Death Row passed May 6th at age 53. Jewell sang on several Death Row projects including The Chronic, Doggystyle and All Eyez On Me. Caples was a pioneer of the gangsta style of singing along with the late Nate Dogg who was also a Death Row artist. Her cover of Shirley Brown’s “Woman To Woman” was both hilarious and deeply soulful. The song was on the Murder Was The Case soundtrack and became a signature hit for her. Caples originally worked with N.W.A before joining Death Row. She also appeared on the Deep Cover and Above The Rim soundtracks. When Death Row went through its personnel changes she left like many other artists but was never able to restart her career because of her former connection to Suge Knight. In 2011, she wrote her memoir My Blood My Sweat My Tears. Two months ago she was hospitalized and by her own admission almost died after doctors removed eight pounds of fluid from her body. At the time of her passing she and her manager Timothy Beal had been planning her comeback as a gospel artist.

Death Row Records Gets Down And Dirty With Kurupt

(Toronto, Canada-1/27/2010) – WIDEawake-Deathrow Entertainment LLC announces their first release of 2010. Kurupt “Down and Dirty” is set to hit shelves, February 9th. Hip Hop artist, Kurupt keeps the underground faithful. After appearing on such classic albums as the “Murder Was The Case” Soundtrack, “Doggystyle,” “All Eyez On Me,” and his group effort “Dogg Food” with long time co-conspirator Daz Dillinger, Kurupt set a high bar for West Coast verbal assassins. Praised by both 2pac and Biggie, Kurupt kept the politics at bay always moving forward releasing four solo albums between 1998 and 2005. The tracks on “Down and Dirty” were recorded in 2002 and 2003 during “Tha Row Era”. This collection includes 17 rare recordings and 4 never before released tracks including collaborations with Kokane, Danny Boy, and Petey Pablo affirming that Kurupt’s talent and influence is undeniable. There is only one Kurupt and he has proven over the last two decades to be not only a survivor but undeniably one of the most important hip hop artists of our time. Don’t be left out. The first hit single off this album is “Stalkin”

The Track List is as Follows:

1. Intro
2. Speak on It – (featuring Val C.)
3. Anarchy ’87
4. Throw Back Muzic ’86
5. Riot In The Club *
6. Stalkin’
7. Can U Feel It – (featuring Potion)
8. Slide N Slide Out – (featuring Eastwood/Big Tri/Young Tone)
9. U Dont Know Who U Fuccin Wit (featuring Kokane) *
10. Jealousy – (featuring Roscoe/M.O.P.)
11. Tha Past – (featuring Dave Hollister)
12. Bullshit & Nonsense
13. Calico
14. Hustlin’ – (featuring Big Tri/Young Tone)
15. It’s a Wrap
16. One Thangs For Sure (Reprise) (Feat Danny Boy)*
17. Put This Money Right There (feat Petey Pablo)*

John Payne, Of WIDEawake Entertianment Group Inc. To Speak At Urban Music Week Presented By Toronto Urban Music Festival

TORONTO, ONT – (JANUARY 22, 2010)

WHAT:
Urban music Conference: The Business of Urban Music. The first day of the music conference targets urban businesses, artists-entrepreneurs, managers, indie labels, publishers, booking agents, graphic designers, event and concert promoters, and web masters. The conference will assist urban businesses, artists-entrepreneurs network and develop professional and successful business practices in the rapidly changing music industry and new digital age through panel discussions and networking opportunities. Panels include: Music Publishing, Managing for success and Indie Labels.

WHO:
John Payne – WIDEawake Entertainment Group Inc.

WHEN:
Friday, January 29, 2010
12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Fairmont Royal York Hotel
Upper Canada Room,18th Floor
100 Front Street W
Toronto , Ontario

INFO:
John Payne is an accomplished music producer and engineer. John was the studio engineer in the early days of Death Row Records; the label that gave birth to West Coast’s most well known rappers Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, and Jewell. John’s longevity and consistency in the Music industry has brought him full circle to WIDEawake Entertainment Group Inc. / Death Row Entertainment LLC.

DEATH ROW RECORDS OFFICIAL SITE:
www.deathrowmusic.com

Deathrow Records’ CEO Lara Lavi Statement

November 19th, 2009, New York, NY – Deathrow Records CEO, President Lara Lavi has just been granted a temporary restraining order against the Canadian financial group, New Solutions Financial Corp and it’s CEO Ron Ovenden by the New York Supreme Court County of New York. The court order will keep outside interests from attempting to act on behalf of the iconic hip-hop label, Deathrow Records, and help keep the company on the road to its continued success.

“I have been very consistent in my message – I am determined to make Death Row about the artists, their music and their fans while staying grounded to assure the company’s future. Thus, I am taking the necessary legal steps to ensure this outcome,” explains Lavi.

Founded in 1991 Deathrow housed some of the highest profile hip-hop acts of the 90’s including Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Deathrow was purchased out of bankruptcy by Lavi in January 2009.

“E-1 signed its deal with Lara Lavi, the CEO, President and managing member of Wideawake Death Row Entertainment LLC on the strength of her vision, business sense and goodwill in the entertainment industry. I look forward to our continued working relationship,” said Rob Scarcello E-1 – SVP of Sales and Marketing. E-I distributes all Deathrow releases for North America.